Potentiation of in vitro synthesis of human IgE by cyclosporin A (CsA)

In this study, we investigated the modulatory effects of CsA on in vitro synthesis of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In contrast to its known immunosuppressive effect, we have demonstrated that a low dose of CsA (10(-7) M, 120 ng/ml) potentiated IgE production by up to 40-fold (i.e. from 33 +/- 4.5 to 1346 +/- 290 ng/ml). This potentiation was specific for IgE since no such effect was demonstrable with IgG1 and IgG4. Potentiation of IgE synthesis by CsA in the PBMC cultures was partly due to CsA acting on T cells, as demonstrated by the addition of CsA-treated T cells to T cell-depleted cultures. However, potentiation was also demonstrable in a T cell-depleted, anti-CD40-stimulated culture (four-fold increase from 400 +/- 48 to 1606 +/- 127 ng/ml). Our data therefore suggest that there are at least two mechanisms for CsA-induced potentiation of IgE synthesis, one T cell-dependent and the other T cell-independent. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed with regard to the use of CsA in the treatment of Th2-mediated diseases.

Secretion of eukaryotic growth hormones in Escherichia coli is influenced by the sequence of the mature proteins

We report the construction of secretion plasmids expressing the fusion proteins, OmpA::pGH (pSpGH.01) and OmpA::hGH (phGH.01), and compare the secretion of mature porcine growth hormone (pGH) and human growth hormone (hGH) employing Escherichia coli. E. coli [phGH.01] secreted 10-15 micrograms hGH/ml/A600 cells into the periplasmic space, representing 30% of total periplasmic proteins. E. coli [pSpGH.01], however, secreted 30-fold less mature pGH. On the basis that both pSpGH.01 and phGH.01 are stably maintained in E. coli and in vitro transcription/translation data showed equivalent expression of OmpA::pGH and OmpA::hGH precursors, we attribute the higher secretion of hGH to the translocation-competent OmpA::hGH protein configuration. Two OmpA::GHF (growth hormone fusion) precursors, OmpA::GHF.02 and OmpA::GHF.03, both with hGH helix 3/helix 4 together instead of the pGH equivalent, secreted mature proteins as efficiently as OmpA::hGH. We propose that hGH helices 3 and 4 in these OmpA::GHF precursors play a major role in the folding of the precursor to a translocation-competent state, mimicking the translocation-competent nature of the OmpA::hGH precursor.

Quantitative analysis of lymphocyte CD11a using standardized flow cytometry

CD11a is the alpha-subunit of the leucocyte adhesion and costimulation molecule LFA-1. We have refined the measurement of lymphocyte CD11a density with a FACScan using commercially available fluorescent beads for standardization and fluorescein-conjugated antibody to CD11a of known fluorescein: protein ratio. The fluorescence intensity of CD11a on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes was measured in 60 healthy subjects. We demonstrated linear correlation between age and mean CD11a density (r = 0.47 for CD4+ cells, r = 0.71 for CD8+ cells). We established that there is a consistent logical cut off point at 4.3 x 10(3) bound antibody molecules between low-expressing and high-expressing subsets of CD8+ cells and we then investigated whether the variation in lymphocyte CD11a expression in healthy subjects was sufficiently small for the application of this method to the detection of abnormal groups or individuals. Analysis of the CD11a high subsets has high statistical power (> 99% in 60 subjects to detect a 25% difference) and good precision (< 4% differences). The advantages of the method for comparative studies of cell surface accessory molecules are discussed. We have also evaluated a frozen cell line for quality control, and demonstrated up-regulation of CD11a density on CD4+ and CD8+ cells measured in three patients with infectious mononucleosis.

DNA ploidy of the primary tumor as a predictor of endocrine sensitivity in breast-cancer

In 75 patients with breast cancer we have correlated DNA ploidy of the primary tumour with response to systemic endocrine therapy and with survival. Diploid tumours were compared with tetraploid and other aneuploid tumours; there was no difference for response to endocrine therapy or survival.

Cellular effects of tamoxifen in primary breast cancer

We have investigated the effect of tamoxifen on the biological characteristics of the primary tumour in 33 patients with breast cancer. All patients had pre-treatment biopsy of the primary breast cancer and subsequent trucut biopsy of the primary tumour after 1-4 months on tamoxifen therapy. The staining patterns in the primary tumour of each of the tumour antigens 115D8, DF3, NCRC-11, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were unaffected by tamoxifen therapy: there was 16%-31% change before vs. during tamoxifen therapy, but this did not reach significance for any of the four antigens. Comparison of the pattern of staining between the four antigens showed 115D8, DF3, and NCRC-11 to be similar to each other both before and during tamoxifen therapy. All three antigens were significantly different from the staining pattern shown by CEA before and during therapy. Tumour antigen expression pre-treatment did not correlate with therapeutic response for any of the four antigens. However, NCRC-11 staining during tamoxifen therapy did correlate with response (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference in oestrogen receptor status before and during tamoxifen therapy, both of which correlated with response. DNA ploidy of the tumour before tamoxifen did not correlate with response to therapy, but there was a weak correlation between response and DNA ploidy measured during tamoxifen therapy. In only a minority of tumours (up to 30%) did tamoxifen exert an effect on the biological characteristics studied. Changes in these biological markers were mainly in tumours which responded to tamoxifen, and the changes seen were a tendency to greater expression of differentiation antigens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular cloning and sequencing of Australian black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri and barramundi Lates calcarifer fish growth hormone cDNA using polymerase chain reaction

The complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding the preprotein growth hormone (pre-GH) from two Australian marine fish species, namely Acanthopagrus butcheri and Lates calcarifer, have been isolated, cloned and sequenced. The sequences were amplified from reverse transcribed total RNA of whole brains using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the 5' and 3' regions of Pagrus major. Use of PCR offers a rapid method of isolating fish GH cDNA sequences for commercial and taxonomic applications. Sequence comparison indicates a high degree of conservation for GH cDNAs within the family Sparidae.

A novel flow cytometric method for measuring protein digestion within the phagocytic vacuole of polymorphonuclear neutrophils

When rhodamine is attached to albumin at a high molar ratio its fluorescence is quenched but fluorescence is released when the protein is digested and the dye released. Using this observation it is possible to measure protein digestion within the phagocytic vacuole of neutrophils. The assay is simple, rapid and measures digestion even in the presence of abnormal phagocytosis.

Carcinoembryonic antigen immunocytochemistry in primary breast cancer

We studied the immunoreactivity by immunohistology of two carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA) with specific and two CEA antibodies with nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA) cross reactivity (CEA/NCA) in 180 primary breast carcinomas. Positive tissue staining was found in more than 90% of the specimens with CEA/NCA antibodies, compared with less than 30% for both CEA-specific antibodies. There was no correlation between the positivity of CEA immunocytochemistry for any of the four antibodies and histologic grade, lymph node stage, locoregional recurrence, disease-free interval (DFI), or patient survival. This large study with a long follow-up period for patients has shown that CEA and CEA/NCA immunocytochemistry have no relation to prognosis in breast cancer. An extensive review of the literature that confirms these findings should end the controversy over the place of CEA and CEA/NCA immunocytochemistry in breast cancer.

An investigation of NCRC11 immunoreactivity in normal and neoplastic epithelia of the female genital tract and ovary

NCRC11 is a monoclonal antibody raised against human mammary carcinoma cells. The prognostic value of tumour cell immunoreactivity to NCRC11 in breast cancer has been shown previously. This study describes NCRC11 immunoreactivity in a wide range of normal and neoplastic epithelial types from the female genital tract and ovary. In the tumours examined, a wide range of staining patterns was seen. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the potential uses of this antibody in diagnosis and monitoring of gynaecological diseases.

Prognostic significance of the DNA content of human breast cancer

The DNA content of paraffin embedded primary tumour tissue has been measured by flow cytometry in 354 patients with operable breast cancer. Tumour ploidy significantly correlated with tumour size, histological grade, and with menopausal status. No significant correlation with oestrogen receptor status or lymph node involvement was found. Patients with diploid cancers had a significantly improved short term survival and disease-free interval (DFI) compared with patients having aneuploid tumours. However, no difference in survival or DFI was shown after longer term follow-up (median 84 months). Multivariate analysis showed no independently significant prognostic value for tumour ploidy. No patient in this study received adjuvant therapy.

Bronchoscopic and radiologic features of Kaposi's sarcoma involving the respiratory system

In a group of 61 patients admitted to New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, with a diagnosis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), 25 were found to have Kaposi's sarcoma involving the skin and mucous membranes. Of these 25 patients, eight had lesions involving the respiratory system. Radiographically, patients with Kaposi's sarcoma had hilar and mediastinal adenopathy with perihilar parenchymal infiltration which progressed to diffuse bilateral infiltrates over a period of months. This pattern and the tempo of its evolution were distinctly different from the diffuse infiltrates seen in patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Bronchoscopy was performed in seven of the eight patients, revealing characteristic lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma in the airways. We propose that parenchymal pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma can be strongly suspected in a patient with AIDS who has the following features: a characteristic radiologic pattern; endobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma at bronchoscopy; and no evidence of opportunistic infection. In this subset of patients, further diagnostic intervention such as open lung biopsy, a procedure with potential morbidity in these ill individuals, may be unnecessary.

The Rutter scale for completion by teachers: factor structure and relationships with cognitive abilities and family adversity for a sample of New Zealand children

A large sample of 7-year-old children (n = 940) was rated by teachers using the Rutter Child Scale B, a 26-item questionnaire covering a variety of behavioural problems. A factor analysis of the data revealed three main factors of interest, identified as aggressiveness, hyperactivity and anxiety-fearfulness. Measures based upon these factors had a reasonably high level of reliability and were moderately stable over a 2-year interval. An analysis of the relationship between these three behavioural measures and some cognitive measures indicated that only hyperactivity was negatively associated with cognitive ability. However, both hyperactivity and aggressiveness were related to adversity in the child's family background. The findings suggest the usefulness of distinguishing between aggressive and hyperactive dimensions of behaviour.

Immunocytochemical staining of breast carcinoma with the monoclonal antibody NCRC 11: a new prognostic indicator

The staining of breast cancer with a new monoclonal antibody, NCRC 11, was studied in a series of 126 women with primary breast carcinoma. Tumour samples embedded in paraffin were tested, and the minimum duration of follow up was five years or to death. Altogether 119 tumours stained positively. There was a strong relation between the intensity of staining, divided on a four point scale, and patient survival. Patients whose tumours exhibited intense staining had an improved survival compared with those with less intensely staining tumours (p less than 0.0001). Staining related weakly to histological grade but not significantly to oestrogen receptor state or the pathological stage of lymph node disease. Mathematical analysis showed the relation to survival to be independent of the other known prognostic factors. Inclusion of intensity of staining with other factors in a prognostic index might permit a more accurate estimation of prognosis in patients with breast cancer.

Lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in man

Human peripheral blood leukocytes are cytotoxic to 51Cr-labeled target cells provided phytohemagglutinin is present in the reaction mixture. The lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (LDCC) phenomenon is characterized by (1) the short duration of the assay (2 to 4 hr), (2) revealing potential cytotoxic cells present in the cell preparation and excluding participation of mitogen-induced polyclonal activation of effector cells generated during prolonged assays used in mitogen-induced cytotoxicity, and (3) using nonerythrocyte target cells. The effector cells that mediate LDCC were characterized by several cell fractionation procedures. Fractionation of Ficoll-Hypaque separated peripheral blood leukocytes on polystyrene bead columsn or on nylon fiber columns which remove monocytes, granulocytes, and immunoglobulin-bearing leukocytes did not remove the LDCC activity. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes preparations were devoid of LDCC activity. Enrichment for T cells by E rosette sedimentation demonstrated that LDCC activity is present in both the T cell-enriched fraction and the non-T cell fraction. Nylon column eluted non-Ig-bearing cells which were subsequently depeleted of T cells by E rosette separation were LDCC positive. Depletion of Fc-bearing leukocytes on EA monolayers removed the LDCC activity. These results demonstrated that two populations of Fc-bearing cells of thymus and nonthymus origin mediate LDCC. Normal and malignant cells of immune and human origin were good targets in LDCC. The wide range of sensitive target cells in LDCC makes this test feasible in a completely autologous or syngeneic system. The significance of the LDCC phenomenon in assessing cell-mediated immunity is discussed.

The merrit alloantigenic system of human B lymphocytes: evidence for thirteen possible factors including one six-member segregant series

An analysis of the typing results of a 70-member chronic lymphatic leukemia B cell panel revealed evidence for 13 possible groups of the Merrit alloantigenic system. Six of these appeared possibly allelic and may represent a segregant series. The CLL panel was also fully typed for HLA and some degree of linkage dysequilibrium between Merrit and HLA seemed apparent from the data. Merrit antibodies can be absorbed out with selected surface membrane immunoglobulin (SMIG)-positive normal lymphocytes and less so or not at all with E rosette-forming T cells or Fc-positive SMIG-negative lymphocytes.

The Merrit Alloantigenic System of Human B Lymphocytes: Evidence for Thirteen Possible Factors including one Six-Member Segregant Series

An analysis of the typing results of a 70-member chronic lymphatic leukemia B cell panel revealed evidence for 13 possible groups of the Merrit alloantigenic system. Six of these appeared possibly allelic and may represent a segregant series. The CLL panel was also fully typed for HLA and some degree of linkage dysequilibrium between Merrit and HLA seemed apparent from the data. Merrit antibodies can be absorbed out with selected surface membrane immunoglobulin (SMIG)-positive normal lymphocytes and less so or not at all with E rosette-forming T cells or Fc-positive SMIG-negative lymphocytes